Roger Gorayeb is one of the most decorated coaches in the Philippines, having reached the Finals of most of the country’s collegiate and club leagues.
Of course, the Philippine Superliga is the exemption.
The fiery head coach had a chance to win a PSL title in the league’s first ever-Grand Prix with PLDT, but was bounced in the semifinals by the Cignal HD Spikers.
Five years later, Gorayeb returns with Smart in the Chooks to Go/All-Filipino Cup.
Having injected the team with several of his longtime players, Gorayeb is expecting a short adjustment period.
“Siyempre, papakiramdaman ko pa, though kilala ko ‘yung mga kalaban ko, kilala ko ‘yung mga players. Para kaming greenhorn dito. Pumasok kami, ibang lugar,” the NCAA’s winningest coach pointed out.
“Pero volleyball pa rin naman ‘yan. Isang bola lang ginagamit, same size ng court, kaya siguro madali rin kaming makaka-adjust. Para lang siyempre pagdating mo, bagong environment lang naman sa amin.”
Gorayeb also clarified that a previous case of one of his favorite wards Grethcel Soltones with the PSL has been cleared.
Soltones, who used to play for the Iriga Oragons, was slapped with a one-year ban and a fine of PHP 50,000 after she competed in the Premier Volleyball League’s All-Star Game last October 29 despite being committed to a PSL team.
“Sabi ng team manager [Epok Quimpo] namin, naayos na nila. Na-clear na nila with PSL.
“Actually isang tao lang naman yung nag-ano sa kanya dun eh. Sabi ko nga, sinabi ko kay Ariel Paredes, para sa volleyball ‘to. Para sa volleyball ‘tong ginagawa niya, ‘di naman tamang i-suspend. So may mga rules din kasi sila. Pero sabi okay na raw,” Gorayeb said.
